New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Orange County

Sheriff Hutchens is committed to fighting human trafficking

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

Sheriff Hutchens Committed to Dedicating Resources to Combat Human Trafficking

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (February 26, 2014) – Law enforcement continues to see a trend involving Human Trafficking in Orange County. Human Trafficking involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation purposes or commercial gain. Victims are often sexually exploited or involved in forced labor arrangements. Human Trafficking is a violation of a person’s human rights and manifests itself in our modern day lives. Sheriff Hutchens is committed to ongoing efforts to support operations that will positively impact the fight against Human Trafficking. Continue reading→

The newly renovated Irvine OC Airport Wyndham Hotel is a real gem

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Hotels, irvine, Orange County, Restaurants, Travel Leave a comment

The hotel we know today as the Wyndham Irvine – Orange County Airport opened on August 1, 1986 and was initially operated as a Holiday Inn. It was purchased by the Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest and most diverse hotel company with approximately 7,490 hotels worldwide, in August of 2013.

The Wyndham Hotel Group invested ten million dollars in a renovation of their Irvine hotel and the rooms are now fully renovated. New furniture is going to be installed in the lobby this week along with new carpeting.

My wife and I decided to take a weekend “staycation” at the Irvine Wyndham Hotel this weekend. We don’t get to be by ourselves much but our adult daughter was happy to look after our ten-year-old son, and so we headed for Irvine. Continue reading→

OC Crime Victims’ Memorial finalist designs to be unvelied on 2/26

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Entertainment, Orange County, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Public Encouraged to Attend Unveiling Reception for OC Crime Victims’ Memorial Finalist Designs on Wednesday

By OC Supervisor Todd Spitzer

The public is invited to the unveiling reception for the five finalists for the design of the Orange County Crime Victims’ Memorial. The unveiling will show design documents in plan and elevation view and logo designs for the five finalists for the first time. The unveiling reception will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Old Orange County Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana.

“I thank the designers from around the world for their interest in the Crime Victims’ Memorial,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “This will be a chance for the public to view each proposed design up close, and I urge all Orange County residents to attend this important event. Continue reading→

Measles cases in Orange County confirmed

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County Health Care Agency

Potential Public Exposure to Measles

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed four cases of measles in Orange County in the last seven weeks, which is consistent with an increase seen throughout California. These cases raise the possibility that Orange County residents may be exposed to measles. The most recent case spent time in public locations in Orange County while contagious. Continue reading→

Man who killed his grandma and set fire to a house with kids it it found sane

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 09ZF0074: February 19, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING GRANDMOTHER AND SETTING HOUSE ON FIRE WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN INSIDE FOUND SANE BY JURY

SANTA ANA – A jury determined today that a man was legally sane when he murdered his grandmother and set her house on fire while his 8-year-old brother and 3-year-old niece were inside the home. Joseph Elija Ettima, 30, was found guilty by the same jury Feb. 4, 2014, of one felony count of second degree murder, one felony count of arson of an inhabited dwelling, two felony counts of child abuse, and a sentencing enhancement for arson with an accelerant. Ettima faces a maximum sentence of 27 years and eight months to life in state prison at his sentencing March 7, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Join the Orange County Sheriff Reserves

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Jobs, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Join the Orange County Sheriff Reserves

If you are looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference in your community and are committed to making Orange County a better place for us all to live and work, the Sheriff’s Reserves might be for you.

The Reserve Division includes both sworn and non-sworn members. Sworn Reserve Deputies are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel, volunteering their time to work alongside career law enforcement personnel. Continue reading→

266 OC couples married on Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Hugh Nguyen, OC Clerk-Recorder, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Hugh Nguyen, OC Clerk-Recorder
For Immediate Release Feb. 14, 2014
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500

266 Couples Married on Valentine’s Day!

A record number of couples – 266 – were married this Valentine’s Day in civil ceremonies performed by Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen and his Deputy Clerks at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department’s three marriage locations – breaking the long standing Valentine’s Day record of 173 couples wed in 1997.

Ceremony rooms were available at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at the department’s branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills. This year, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen extended operating hours for all three marriage locations in an effort to accommodate the anticipated high demand. Continue reading→

The OCTA’s Measure M is on track according to a new independent review

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Measure M On Track, Independent Review Finds

Half-cent sales tax is driving force behind local transportation improvements

ORANGE – The Measure M Taxpayers Oversight Committee has determined that Measure M is being delivered as promised to Orange County voters for the 23rd consecutive year.

The committee held its annual Measure M public hearing this week and unanimously found that the Orange County Transportation Authority is proceeding in accordance with the ordinances that were approved by voters first in 1990 and renewed in 2006. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez tries desperately to sign OC residents up for ObamaCare

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2014

MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, 202-731-7627, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ FOCUSES ON GETTING OC COVERED WITH IN PERSON ENROLLMENT

Garden Grove, Calif. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today led a rally in Santa Ana launching “Countdown to Enroll OC,” her effort to connect Orange County residents with certified, in person bilingual health insurance enrollment services through Covered California.

“Covered California’s enrollment deadline, March 31st, is a big day that’s less than fifty days from now,” said Rep. Sanchez. “That’s why I’m launching the Countdown to Enroll OC. From now until March 31st, I will be doing everything I can to connect Orange County residents with in person, bilingual enrollment support. We are putting the emphasis on signing up in person, right here, right now.” Continue reading→

OC Clerk-Recorder to team up with the Globetrotters on Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Entertainment, OC Clerk-Recorder, Orange County, Santa Ana, Sports Leave a comment

Thunder Law

Hugh Nguyen, Orange County Clerk-Recorder
NEWS RELEASE, For Immediate Release Feb. 11, 2014
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500

Harlem Globetrotters and Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen Team Up to Spread the Love on Valentine’s Day

Harlem Globetrotters superstars Wun Versher and Thunder Law will be visiting the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s marriage unit at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana on Valentine’s Day from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Globetrotters will be helping Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen host this year’s Valentine’s Day event.

The Globetrotters will be passing out red roses and welcoming couples looking to “tie the knot” on this special Valentine’s Day. Clerk-Recorder staff has been working hard to ensure that customers experience a memorable wedding day. Continue reading→

OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens endorses Jeff Ferguson for OC Judge 2014

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Courts, Orange County, Politics, Sandra Hutchens Leave a comment

Jeff Ferguson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 714-313-7824

OC SHERIFF SANDRA HUTCHENS ENDORSES JEFF FERGUSON FOR OC JUDGE 2014

Sandra Hutchens, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner, endorsed Jeff Ferguson for OC Judge this week. Ferguson is a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Orange County.

“I am deeply gratified by Sheriff Hutchens belief in my committment to public safety and the fair administration of justice,” said Ferguson. “Our safe streets has been my top priority as a prosecutor, and will remain my top priority as a judge.” Continue reading→

Confirmed measles cases in Orange County

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Confirmed Measles Activity in Orange County Underscores the Importance of Childhood Vaccination

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has confirmed three cases of measles in Orange County in the last six weeks. These cases are unrelated and thus far have not resulted in transmission to other Orange County residents. In the last five years, Orange County has only seen zero to one case of the measles per year. The Orange County Health Care Agency reminds people that the way to protect yourself and your family against the measles is to get the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Continue reading→

Apologetic Bandit arrested in Lake Forest

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042/Gail Krause, (714) 623-8940

Apologetic Bandit arrested

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – (February 3, 2014) – On Friday, January 31, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Farhad Sharifi, 19, Aliso Viejo, on suspicion of committing numerous robberies over the course of the last 12-14 months. Sharifi was arrested early Friday morning after committing an armed robbery at the 7-11 convenience store located at 24386 Muirlands Blvd., in Lake Forest. Continue reading→

DUI Saturation Patrols planned for Super Bowl Sunday

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

DUI Saturation Patrols Planned for Super Bowl Sunday

SANTA ANA, California (January 30, 2014) – As the Super Bowl approaches and football fans across the country prepare for the game, the National Football League (NFL) the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have joined forces with the Orange County “Avoid the 38” DUI Task Force to spread the message about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday, because – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Continue reading→

OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson announces 2014 Transportation Initiatives

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Transportation Leave a comment

Shawn Nelson, OCTA Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 30, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Chairman Shawn Nelson announces 2014 Transportation Initiatives

Goals focus on delivering transportation solutions for all Orange County residents

ORANGE – Orange County Transportation Authority Chairman Shawn Nelson unveiled his strategic initiatives for the year ahead, placing the focus on delivering freeway projects, advancing active transportation programs and maximizing funding and regional opportunities. Continue reading→